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Friday 13 April 2018

A useful post: Turkey

A summary of the experiences I had while in Turkey. Reviews of our accommodation, my favourite restaurants and the things to do and eat!

Accommodation

Istanbul

Istiklal Hostel New
We stayed in the Budget Double Room with shared bathroom for 6 nights in total (split across 2 visits) at roughly €20 per night. It was the cheapest we found in Istanbul. I recommend only staying here (in this room, in particular) if you are really watching your pennies, otherwise try another hostel. The bed was bad, the room was tiny with bad air, the bathrooms not amazing. However, the location is A+++.

Göreme

Angel Cave Suites
Absolutely stunning cave hotel right near to the main street, and only 10 minutes walk from Sunset point. As it is quite new, (only about 4 months old), we got a super amazing rate on the Double Cave Room, otherwise it is normally triple the price. If it is in your budget, I highly, highly recommend! The room was amazing, built into the cave which gave the room a very unique shape. Breakfast was delicious and fresh and the service by hotel manager Jay was second-to-none. It was like staying at a friend's place!

Selçuk

ANZ Hostel
Rather lovely hostel, bizarre bathroom but a small price to pay as this was our cheapest accommodation in Turkey. Breakfast was great, and it is probably the closest you'll get to Ephesus out of all the hostels. Not far from the main train station either.

Çanakkale

Anzac House Youth Hostel
Clean, cheap and basic hostel. Unfortunately the fluorescent lights outside shone right into our window and it always felt like daylight in there. Also very inexpensive.

Restaurants

Istanbul

Ortaklar Kebap Lahmacun
My rule for never returning to the same restaurant more than once was well and truly broken here - we went back three times. SO cheap for Istanbul (for 2 people you'll really only spend about €10), huge range of different foods and really friendly service. Complimentary bread, dip and tea.

Old Ottoman Cafe and Restaurant
A bit pricer, but their testi kebap is delicious and the service is very friendly. Complimentary bread, olives, tea and dessert.

Little man halfway between the Golden Horn Metro Bridge and Gallata Bridge
Simply sells balik ekmek out of his boat for 9TL. The bread is so fresh and soft, the fish is super fresh and tasty and he tries hard to get rid of as many bones as possible. We went back to him twice! I don't know if his boat has a name, but there's a big blue umbrella over his barbeque.

Göreme

Omurca Art Cave Cafe
Where to begin! This restaurant is run by a man straight out of his house and kitchen (to get to the toilet you have to go through his bedroom) and he cooks the meals specially for you. He makes his own wine too. Oh, and he really likes cats, so there are cats everywhere. Don't go if you don't like cats! Definitely go if you're a cat lover! We had three sleeping on us while we were dining on his excellent home made food and wine. Try the ravioli, it's amazing. Total bill came to approximately €20. Complimentary bread and cheese.

Selçuk

Selçuk Pidecisi
Another little family run restaurant with impeccable service. Complimentary bread, tea and dessert.

Things to do

Istanbul

  • Bosphorus Cruise with ferry company Sehir Hatlari. Their 2 hour tour is only 12TL, which is about €2.40. You don't get a running commentary of what you're passing, but it is still beautiful. 
  • Get the museum pass. With it you can enter at least the Topkapi Palace (and Harem) and the Hagia Sophia and you've got your money's worth.
  • Basilica Cistern
  • Try shisha
  • Visit the bazaars
    Spice Market (or Egyptian Bazaar) for an authentic, local experience. Cheaper, but super crazy!
    Grand Bazaar, very old, prices more for tourists (so don't buy here, or try to haggle!)
    Antique Bazaar, quieter, more space.
  • Hamam
    This can be done anywhere in Turkey but there's a lot of choice in Istanbul. 

Goreme

  • Balloon flight - with Butterfly Balloons
    I can't recommend Butterfly Balloons enough - with so many companies to choose from it was really hard to make a choice, and I definitely went with the right one! Everything about their package was second to none. They aren't the cheapest on the market but they aren't the most expensive either.
  • Hike the Red and Rose Valleys
  • Visit an Underground City. This can be done on the Green Tour or separately.
  • Go up to Sunset Point at both sunset and sunrise, watch the balloons fly over the town in the early morning.

Selçuk

  • Ephesus
    No matter what the taxi drivers say, you can probably walk to here from your accommodation! Amazingly preserved ruins. And loads of cats.


Çanakkale

  • Troy
    Çanakkale is actually the modern day Troy, located about 30km away from the site of the ruins. An excellent look back at ancient history/mythology, better with a tour guide who can point out what you're looking at. We used Hassle Free Tours.
  • Gallipoli
    A must do for all Aussies and Kiwis in Turkey, the Gallipoli peninsula is dotted with landmarks, memorials and cemeteries dedicated to those who lost their lives at Gallipoli in World War 1. We used Hassle Free Tours.

Things to eat and drink

  • Kunefe, baklava, and other sweet desserts
  • Sherbet, if you can find it (available at Old Ottomans Cafe)
  • Kebap (of course, in all and every variety)
  • Testi kebap, served out of a one-use-only clay pot
  • Gozleme
  • Pide
  • The bread
  • belik ekmek (fish sandwiches)
  • All tea - Turkish tea and apple tea in particular
  • Turkish coffee - you don't drink down to the bottom! It's unfiltered. Learnt this the hard way.
  • Kofte meatballs
  • Dondurma icecream!

And most of all - have fun!
xx


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